Chapter 2.10
PLANNING COMMISSION
Sections:
2.10.030 Term of office – Vacancy.
2.10.010 Established.
There is hereby reestablished a City Planning Commission for the City of Harrisburg, Oregon. [Ord. 429 § 1, 1976.]
2.10.020 Members.
The commission shall consist of seven members to be appointed by the City Council, not more than two of whom shall be nonresidents of the City. The Mayor, City Attorney and City Engineer shall be entitled to sit with the Commission and take part in its discussions, but shall not have the right to vote. The Commission members may receive a reasonable compensation for their services, with the amount determined by the City Council. [Ord. 429 § 2, 1976.]
2.10.030 Term of office – Vacancy.
Commission members shall hold office for a term of four years, with the staggering of terms as established by resolution. Any vacancy shall be filled by the City Council for the unexpired portion of the term. A member may be removed by the City Council, after a hearing, for misconduct or nonperformance of duty. A member who is absent from three meetings in a 12-month period without an excuse as approved by the Commission is presumed to be in nonperformance of duty, and the City Council shall declare the position vacant unless finding otherwise following a hearing. [Ord. 818, 2004; Ord. 663 § 1, 1995; Ord. 429 § 3, 1976.]
2.10.040 Officers.
The Commission, at its first meeting of each calendar year, shall elect from its members a chairman to serve as the body’s presiding officer and a vice chairman to serve in the chairman’s absence. The Commission shall also elect a secretary who need not be a member of the Commission. The secretary shall keep an accurate record of all Commission proceedings. The Commission shall on the first day of October of each year make and file a report of all its transactions with the City Council. [Ord. 429 § 4, 1976.]
2.10.050 Quorum.
A majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum. The Commission may make and act on rules and regulations for its government and procedure consistent with the laws of this State and with the City Charter and code. It shall meet at least once a month, at such times and places as may be fixed by the Commission. Special meetings may be called at any time by the chairman or by these members by written notice served upon each member of the Commission at least 24 hours before the time specified for the proposed meeting. [Ord. 663 § 2, 1995; Ord. 429 § 5, 1976.]
2.10.060 Staff.
The Commission may employ consulting advice on municipal problems, a secretary and such clerks as may be necessary, and pay for their services and for such other expenses as the Commission may lawfully incur, including the necessary disbursements incurred by its members in the performance of their duties, out of funds at the disposal of the commission as authorized by the City Council. [Ord. 429 § 6, 1976.]
2.10.070 Powers and duties.
The Commission shall have the powers and duties which are now or may hereafter be assigned to it by Charter, ordinance or resolution of this City and the general laws of this State. The duties of the Commission shall include the following:
1. Recommend and make suggestions to the City Council and to all other public authorities concerning the laying out, widening, extending, parking and location of streets, sidewalks, and boulevards, relief or traffic congestion, betterment of housing and sanitation conditions and establishment of zones of districts limiting the use, height, area and bulk of buildings and structures;
2. Recommend to the City Council and all other public authorities plans for regulation of all future growth, development of beautification of the City in respect to its public and private buildings and works, streets, parks, grounds and vacant lots and plans consistent with future growth and development of the City in order to secure to the City and its inhabitants sanitation, proper service of all public utilities, and transportation facilities;
3. Recommend to the City Council and all other public authorities plans for promotion, development and regulation of industrial and economic needs of the community in respect to private and public enterprises engaged in industrial pursuits;
4. Advertise the industrial advantages and opportunities of the City and availability of real estate within the City for industrial settlement;
5. Encourage industrial settlement within the municipality;
6. Make economic surveys of present potential possibilities of the municipality with view to ascertaining its industrial needs;
7. Study needs of existing local industries with a view to strengthening and developing local industries and stabilizing employment conditions;
8. Prepare and submit to the City Council for adoption a comprehensive land use plan and review this plan and recommend amendments thereto as are from time to time deemed necessary;
9. Advise the City Council as to needs for amendment and change in existing zones and zoning ordinances;
10. Control the subdivision of land. [Ord. 429 § 7, 1976.]
2.10.080 Recommendations.
All recommendations and suggestions made to the City Council by the Commission shall be in writing. [Ord. 429 § 8, 1976.]